cesar millan fans

[hensdeliverthegoods]

I've trained dogs for over 20 years and I LOVE Cesar Millan. I don't feel he uses fear at all, on the contrary, he treats and relates to dogs as DOGS - not as the extensions of their humans. To me, he shows the dog the ultimate respect by communincating with it on it's level, instead of ours. As a dog trainer and a staff member of a veterinary hospital, I see so many serious problems that come from people treating their dogs like their babies, etc. This can lead to behavior problems that often result in the dogs having to be destroyed. How can that be good for the dogs?

I'll get down off my soapbox now, but this week I was bit by about the thousandth small dog that some young woman got as a "fashion accessory" and treated as her baby. I think Cesar Millan has come at just the right time!

P.S. I have always used many of Millan's methoods and I have a german shepherd and a doberman who are 100% safe around people and are happy dogs.

Ok, now I'm REALLY coming down off the soapbox!

 

[NewHopePoultry]

I've never used any of his training ways on any of my dogs, large or small. All of mine are 100% people safe.
I know he has done some good things with dogs,but in general I dont like him,lol.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
I agree, I don't feel his methods invoke unnatural fear in the dogs. If you'll notice dogs will use intimidation of the same kind to establish pack supremacy. Its not painful but it does establish the proper respect. I learned how to do this by watching MY dogs. My older female can discipline the younger male with a lunge and a gruff bark quicker than anything. He is definitely NOT afraid of her, but, by golly, he does respect her! Cesar just uses the animal's natural instincts, which is pretty smart thinking, if you ask me!

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

i think he is amazing! I love watching his program and think he goes about training in the right way. We dont even have dogs at the moment (not that I havent had them in the past) and I still will watch his program anytime its on.

 

[texasreb]

I don't like him. He uses antiquated techniques such as the alpha roll, flooding, shock therapy, pinch collars, plus pain and fear to train dogs. These methods can actually increase aggression and fear in many dogs.

He uses very little positive reinforcements.

I would like to see him try to alpha roll my 140lb mastiff without getting his face bit off.

He has no formal training or education in animal behavior.

Here are a few articles concering his style of "training."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/15/CMGPHL9D1N1.DTL

http://www.sfspca.org/Viewpoint/1030.shtml

http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_news_releases_dog_whisperer

http://www.dogwhispererdvd.com/faq-national_geographic_dog_whisperer.html

 

[redhen]

is a pinch collar...the same as a prong collar?...Wendy

 

[texasgirl]

Quote:
Yes

 

[redhen]

i'm using one now for my great dane that i recently took in as a rescue type thing..why are they bad to use?....(just asking..thats how i learn..

)..i have had 2 seperate large breed handlers tell me to use them ...while i am trying to train amd get a handle on a dog...i used the collar on my saint bernard..for about a week..it worked wonderfully....and now with this dane..he growled at my husband a few times....the trainer thinks hes just out of sorts right now....stressed out...out of his "pack".. he is recently seperated from his brother..who was the dominant male..(from what i am told)... he's trying to find his place in our pack..unfournetly, i dont think he has had the best "basic" beginning...any other advice is appreciated..Wendy

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

positive reinforcement only works if the dog likes the type of postitive reinforcement you offer. Many of the dogs I see on his programs do not respect or care for their owners enough to care about the reinforcement their owners might have to offer. Cesar is good for what he offers: interjecting some common sense, consistency and balance that most dog owners never give their dogs.

While it may be true that many of the 'happy endings' you see on his program might have been accomplished with a different approach to the training/rehab, he takes dogs on that are far too gone for many trainers and owners to handle. And...we must remember its a TV show and you never really see the whole situation no matter how much detail you seem to get from watching an hours worth of television.

I like parts of his philosophy and leave the rest.

 

[glowworm]

I worked with a DVM not too long ago who was board certified (1 out of 42 in US) in animal behavior.

I asked her once what she thought about Caesar Millan. She said that while his methods are GREAT for some dogs, but for others HORRIBLE. One huge problem she had with the TV show was just that, its TV. The show gives the viewer the idea that the dog is "fixed" in hours or overnight. In reality, no dog with serious issues, can be trained that quick. It's TV editing .

The worst type of dog personality to use Caesar's training on is fear aggression. BIG no-no and it will only escalate the issue.

Caesar has done some good things in the dog world, its not all bad. He does do good on the concept of pack leader and teaching people who don't know better how to treat their dog like a dog

Teaching people that their dog should be part of the family but not equal as a human, the dog should get daily exercise to release excess energy, general rules, etc.